Type-writing machine.



C. B. CORCORAN. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 1s. 19.10.

CULUMBIA PLANCIGRAPH C0..WASHINOTON, D:c.

UNITED i STATES W- PATENT OFFRE.

CORNELIUS B. CORCORAN, or Nnw YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR rrok UNDERWOOD TYrii- WRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION ORNEW JERSEY.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

App1caton filed January 19, 1910. Serial No. 538,837. l y

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CORNELIUS B. OOR- coRAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Bronx, city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-YVriting Machines, of which the following is a speci-y fication. j

This invention relates to devices employed in typewriting machines for releasing the platen from the line-space wheel, soy that the platen may be freely turned whilel the line-space wheel is held stationary by` the usual spring detent. K l

One of the main objects of this invention is the provision of a positive lock for this purpose, which' will'convert these partsy practically into a single rigid structure, incapable of relative rotation.

I have provided clutch members which positively interlock. One member of the clutch is equipped with perforations or other seats engaged bya tooth or teeth on a coperating clutch member. The teeth, bolts or dogs are mounted upon a carrier which is connectedto said finger-piece and` is capable of rotation caused by its sliding sitions assumed by the parts when the 1 platen is released from the line-space wheel. 1

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section, showing the positions of the parts when the bolts of the loose clutch member are in engagement with the septa between the seats in the fixed clutch member. Fig. 4 is a similar vview showing the normal positions ofthe parts, the platen and line-space wheel being rigidly connected Fig. 5 is a detail side view of one of the locking dogs. Fig. 6 is aV detail cross- Y sectional view, taken at right angles to Fig.

3, showing the positions of the bolts engaging the septa between the seats in the fixed clutch membenf Fig. 7 is an end view partly in section, showing the yreleasing head controlling the yclutch mechanism. Y Fig. 8 is a perspectiveview partly broken away, showing the operative parts of the invention disassembled.

y The usual platen 1 issecured to an axle 2 journaled in a platen frame 3. A toothed line-space wheel 4 engaged by a spring detent 5, is operated by a lever 6 through aslide 7 and pawl 8 to effect the line-spacing of the platen. The line-space wheel is shown in the form of a drum 9 carrying the teeth 4, and loose on the axle 2. A fingerpiece 20 is connected tol slide a releasing head 16 in the axle 2 to withdraw bolts 12 from perforations'llin a disk 10 fixed to the platen'or axle 2. n The bolts are mounted in a carrier 13 connected with the linespace wheel, so that the withdrawal of the bolts releases the platen from the line-space wheel. After the platen 1 is adjusted in the usual manner, the finger-piece 20 is released, whereupon a spring 26 moves the releasing head inwardly 16. Provision is made to render the-platen universally adjustable, or in other words, to engage the bolts in the perforat-ions 11 of the disk 10 at any adjustment of the platen 1 and its disk 10. This is done by giving the bolt-carrier 13 a slight turning movement around the platen axle 2. For this purpose, the bolt-carrier is connected to the line-space wheel 4 by followers 14 and inclined grooves or cams 15, which, when the bolt-carrier slides along the platen axle, turn lthe Acarrier. with its bolts relatively `to both platen and linespa'ce wheel. Should the bolts strike theY septa between the perforations 11, the bolt carrier will nevertheless continue to turn until the bolts register and snap into the holes. By the employment of the bits 10 or followers 14 working in the helical or inclined slots 15, the carrier and its bolts are turned around the platen axle toseoure the necessary registration. The bolts are slidable endwise in the bolt carrier 13, as well as 105 in the releasing head 16, thuspermitting the carrier 13 to move independently when returning, so that the bolt carrier may not be arrestedby the striking of the the septa.

Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

bolts against The bolt carrier 13 is loosely connected to the releasing head by guide pins 18, which permit relative sliding or axial movement between head 16 and carrier 13, t0 enable the bolt or bolts 12 to be released prior to the movement of the bolt carrier. lIhe releasing head 16 may also move inwardly, to set the bolts toward the perforations, prior to the return movement of the bolt carrier. The screw or helical motion of the bolt carrier 13 is co-mmunicated to the releasing head 16 which is loose on the axle 2, the linger piece 2() being connected thereto by a stem 21, projecting beyond the usual finger-knob 22 fixed on the outer end of the axle 2, which is hollow to accommodate the stem. The latter has a bit 23 fitting in and projecting from a longitudinal slot 24 in the axle, into an annular groove 25 in the releasing head 16. This permits free rotation of the releasing head with the bolt carrier.

To permit the operator to use both hands in adjusting the platen and paper, a detent is provided to hold the clutch disengaged, comprising a spring-pressed ball 27 taking into a seat or recess 29, on the stem 21. The ball is located in a socket in the finger knob 22 and pressed against the stem 21 by a spring 3() held in place by a screw 31. IVhen the catch is in recess 28, it holds the stem steady against accidental outward movement.

The inclined or helical slots 15 in the drum should be long enough to turn the bolt carrier through an arc substantially equal to the distance between the centers of two adjacent seats 11, and are inclined but slightly. Often a less turning movement than this will be sufficient to register the bolts and seats; and since a further pressure on the stem 21 would push in the carrier, and thereby turn the platen (because of the cam action between the bolt carrier and drum), which would impair the adjustment just obtained, I provide dogs or locks for arresting the bolt carrier, or for securing the parts together, simultaneously with the seating of the bolts. This lock includes a pair of opposite dogs 33 mounted in the bolt carrier to slide into and out of engage` ment with the inner surface of the drum, which at this point may be interiorly rough cned or knurled, as at 34, to prevent slip of the dogs or jaws. The dogs are projected outwardly into engagement with opposite sides of the drum, at the moment when the bolts seat in the clutch member 10, by means of elbow-levers 35 pivoted on a ring 36 mounted loosely on the platen aXle, and having a pin or key 37 engaging a groove 38 in the aXle. One arm 35EL of the elbow lever is inserted in a slot 39 in the bolt. The other arm 35b of the lever passes through an aperture 40 in the bolt carrier and enters an opening 41 in the dog. When the bolts snap into the holes 11, the elbow levers will be rocked to throw t-he dogs 33 out into engagement with the drum 9, to prevent further movement of the bolt carrier. The withdrawal of the bolts rocks the elbow levers in the opposite direction, to retract the dogs and permit the bolt carrier to be drawn outward by the releasing head. The dogs may be each bifurcated, as shown at 42, (Fig. Though I have shown a plurality of bolts, the device is operative when a single bolt is employed.

The finger piece 2O withdraws the bolts 12 and the bolt carrier 13 successively, the latter making an idle rotation due to its screw coupling with the linespace wheel. In rengaging the clutch, the bolts are set toward the fast clutch member and followed by the bolt carrier, which turns as it is pushed back again to register' the bolts with the perforations, the springs 19 snapping the bo-lts into the perforations. By providing a large number of 'seats 11, the arc through which the bolt carrier must be turned in alining the bolts and seats is reduced.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine. the combination with a platen, a line-space wheel relatively to which the platen turns, a detent for the wheel and line-spacing mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for positively and rigidly connecting the line-space wheel and platen, including a clutch member fixed to turn with the platen, a cooperating clutch member connected with the line-space wheel, the platen capable of rotation relatively to said cooperating clutch member, a bolt loosely mounted in one of the clutch members for back and forth movement relatively to the remaining clutch member, to releasablyconnect the platen and line-space wheel, and releasing mechanism operable against the tension of a returning spring for effecting the disengagement of the bolt from the fast clutch member to permit the rotation of the platen relatively to the line-space wheel.

2. In a typewriting machine., the combination with a platen, a line-space wheel rotatable relatively thereto, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for positively and rigidly connecting the platen and line-space wheel against independent rotation, including a clutch member fixed to turn with the platen and having seat-s therein, a loose clutch member having a screw coupling with the line-space wheel to afford the loose clutch member a limited turning movement relatively to both the platen and line-space wheel, a bolt mounted for back and forth movement in the loose yso clutch membeir to l releasably jconnect they nation with a platen and its axle, a linei .space wheel rotatable on the axle, a detent for the wheel and line-space mechanism for turning the Wheel, of a clutch mechanism for positively and rigidly connecting the platen and line-space wheel releasably together, including a clutch rmember fixed on rthe axle, a bolt carrier loose on the axle and connected with the line-space wheel, a bolt mounted in the bolt carrier and movable to lock the fixed clutch member to the line-space wheel, one end ofthe axle being hollou7 and having a slot therein, a releasing head connected to the bolt and sliding on the axle, the releasing head having an annular groove communicating with the slot in the hollow axle, and a stem in the hollow axle, terminating in a button atits outer end, and carrying a bit projecting through t-he slot in the axle into the annular groove in the releasing head, to control the position of the releasing head to effect the engagement and disengagement of the clutch members. f

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen having an axle hollow at one end, a line-space wheel relatively to whichl the platen turns, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for connecting the platen and line-space wheel, including a clutch member fixed to turn with the platen, a coperating clutch member connected with the line-space wheel and having a boltfreleasably engaging the fixed clutch member, a spring-pressed releasing head for eHecting the engagement and disengagement of the bolt and fixed clut-ch member, the releasing head capable of longi-V tudinal and rot-ary movements on the axle, and a finger-operated stem slidable in and out of the hollow axle and connected with the releasingV head for operating the latter.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, a line-space wheel relatively to which the platen turns, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutchingmechanism for connecting, the platen and line-space wheel, including a clutch member fixed to turn with the platen and having a plurality of seats arranged circularly thereof, a bolt-carrier connected with the line-space wheel and having a rspringpressed bolt movable endwise in the carrier toward and from the fixed member, releasing mechanism controlling the engagement and release of the bolt from the fixed member, the bolt carrier being connected with said releasing mechanism to be moved back and forth, and a cam and follower connection between the bolt carrier and line-space wheel effective to turn the bolt carrier relatively to the fixed clutch member, as it is pushed toward the latter to register the olt with a seat in said fixed clutch memer. Y

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a line-space wheel relatively to which the platen turns, a de tent for the line-space wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of two clutch members for positively and rigidlyV being connected to the line-space wheel, one4 of the clutch members being slidable toward and from the other, and having a limited turning movement relative thereto, to regis-I ter thebolt relatively to a perforation, and a releasing mechanism to control the engagement of the bolt with and its withdrawal from the perforation.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination with agplaten and a line-space wheel relatively to which the platen turns, a detent for the line-space wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, o-f two clutch members for positively and rigidlyv connecting the platen and line-space wheel, one of the clutch members comprising a perforated disk and the other clutch member including a carrier slidable toward and from the disk, a bolt slidable in the carrier, to be projected into and withdrawn from a seat in the disk, a releasing mechanism con nected to turn with the bolt carrier, and having a limited back and forth movement relatively thereto and to the bolt to advance the bolt and carrier toward and retract them from the disk, a screw coupling between the carrier and line-space wheel effective to turn the bolt-carrier and bolt relative to both the disk and line-space wheel to register the bolt ward and from the fixed clutch member to enter one of the seats, a finger-piece for setting the bolt toward and withdrawing it from the seat, and a screw or helical connection between the bolt and line-space wheel effective to revolve the bolt around the platen axle relatively to the fixed clutch member through a limited arc to register it with a seat subsequently to its movement toward said fixed clutch member.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a line-space wheel, a platen rotatable relatively thereto, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, ofra .clutch mechanism for connecting the platen and line-space wheel, including a clutch member fixed to rotate with the platen and having a plurality of seats, a bolt, a finger-piece effective to move the bolt toward and from the fixed clutch member, to engage and withdraw it from one of the seats, and a screw or helical coupling between the bolt and line-space wheel effective to operate the bolt across the face of the -fixed clutch member, subsequently to the movement of the bolt toward the fixed clutch member, to register the bolt with a seat.

10. in a typewriting machine, the combination with a line-space wheel, a platen rotatable relatively thereto, a drum on the line-space wheel, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for connecting the platen and line-space wheel, including a clutch member fixed to rotate with theplaten and having a plurality of seats, a bolt-carrier free to rotate on the axle and to slide back and forth relatively to the fixed clutch member, a bolt mounted in the bolt carrier, a finger-piece controlling the movement of the bolt and carrier toward and from the fixed clutch member, the drum on the linespace wheel having an inclined or helical cam slot, and a follower on the bolt carrier engaging the walls of said slotfor camming the bolt into register with one of the seats in the fixed clutch member.

ll. In a t-ypewriting machine, the co1nbi nation with a platen, a line-space wheel relatively to which the platen turns, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for connecting the platen and line-space wheel, including a clutch member fixed to turn with the platen and having a plurality of seats arranged circularly thereof, a boltcarrier connected with the line-space wheel and having a spring-pressed bolt movable endwise in the carrier toward and from the fixed member, releasing mechanism controlling the engagement and release of the bolt with the fixed member, the bolt carrier being connected with said releasing mechanism to be moved back and forth, a cam and follower connection between the bolt carrier and line-space wheel effective to turn the bolt carrier relatively to the fixed clutch member, as it is pushed toward the latter to register the bolt with a seat in said fixed clutch member, and a lock effective to 1arrest the advance of the bolt carrier toward the fixed clutch member when the bolt seats itself.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a' platen, a linespace wheel relatively to which the platen turns, and having a drum, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for connect-ing the platen and line-space wheel, including a disk fixed to turn with the platen and having a plurality of seats, a bolt-carrier free to turn relatively to, and to slide towardand from the xed disk, a bolt mounted in the boltecarrier for endwise movement toward and from the fixed disk, and normally tending to seat itself in the disk, a finger piece controlling the setting of the bolt and bolt-carrier toward and their withdrawal from the disk, a helical coupling between the bolt-carrier and the line-space wheel for turning the bolt-carrier and bolt to register the latter with a seat in the fixed disk, as the carrier is set toward the disk, and a dog mounted in the bolt-carrier to bite on the4 drum of the line-space wheel when the bolt is entered in its seat.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, a line-space wheel relatively to which the platen turns, and having a drum, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for connecting the platen and line-space wheel, including a disk fixed to turn with the platen and having a plurality of seats, a bolt-carrier free to turn and slide relatively to the fixed disk, a bolt mounted ,in the bolt-carrier for movement toward and from the fixed disk, and normally tending to seat itself in the disk, a finger piece controlling the setting of the bolt and bolt-carrier toward and their withdrawal from the disk, a helical coupling between the bolt-carrier and the line-space wheel for turning the bolt-carrier and bolt to register the latter with a seat in the fixed disk, as the carrier is set toward the disk, and a dog` mounted in the bolt-carrier and operated by the movement of the bolt into its seat, the dog being effective to bite on the roughened inner surface of the drum to arrest the set of the bolt-carrier toward the fixed disk.

la?. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, a line-space wheel relatively to which the platen turns, and having a drum, a detent for the wheel, and line-space mechanism for turning the wheel, of a clutch mechanism for connecting the platen and line-space wheel, including a disk fixed to turn with theplaten and hav-- ing a plurality of seats, a bolt-carrier free to turn and vslide relatively to the fixeddisk, a bolt mounted in the bolt-carrier for movement toward andfrom the fixed disk, yand normally tending to seat itself in the disk, a finger piece controlling the setting of the bolt and bolt-carrier toward'and their withdrawal from the disk, a screw or helical coupling between the bolt-carrier and the line-space wheel for turning the bolt-carrier and bolt to register the latter with a seat in the fixed disk, as the carrier is set toward the disk, a dog mountedV in the bolt-carrier, an elbow lever pivoted on a support turning with the bolt-carrier, one arm of the elbow lever connected with the bolt, the opposite arm of the lever operating'the dog and effective to throw the latteroutward to bite on the drum as the bolt enters its seat.

15. In a typewriting machine, the 'combination with a platen, a line-space wheel and withdrawing them from the fixed disk,

locating mechanism for turning the bolt-vr carrier and bolt to register the bolt with one of the seats, and locking mechanism operating with the engagment of the bolt intoits seat to secure the bolt-carrier and line-space,

lock the fixed clutch member to and release it from the line-space wheel, a rotatable releasing head connected to the bolt and slidable along the axle, and a slidable finger piece connected with the releasing head to permit rot-ation ofthe latter relatively to the linger-piece, the linger piece effective to control the engagement and disengagement of the platen and line space wheel.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a line-space wheel relatively to which the platenturns, .of a clutch mechanism for connecting the platen and line-space wheel including a clutch member connected to the platen and coperating with a second clutch member connected with the line-space wheel, one ofthe clutch members having seats engaged byl a spring-- pressed bolt mounted in the coperating vClutch member, one of said clutch members mounted to slide toward and from the remaining clutch member and having a limited turning movement relatively to the platen and line space wheel to aline the bolt and its seat, and a linger-piece to control the engagement and disengagement of the clutch members.

18. In a typewriting machine the combination with a line-space wheel and a platen adjustable relatively thereto, of a positive clutch for releasably connecting the linespace wheel and platen against relative movement, and including a clutch member having seats, and a coperating clutch member having bolts slidable endwise relatively to their clutch member to engage and withdraw from the seats in the remaining clutch member, a finger-piece controlling the bolts, and having a limited endwise movement relatively thereto, springs tensioned by such endwise movement for seating the bolts when they are registered with their seats,

'one of the clutch members being secured to the platen, the remaining clutch member being slidable toward and from the platen and having a connection with the line space wheel permitting a limited turning of the clutch member relatively thereto when it is pushed toward the platen to register the bolts with their seats.

19. The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of intermediate clutch members, one having seats, and the other having a bolt to engage said seats, said clutch members having a helical coupling, to afford a limited rotative adjustment. .p

20. The combination with a platen and a line-space wheel, of intermediate clutch members, a bolt mounted upon one clutch member, the other clutch member provided with seats, a returning spring for the bolt, and a finger piece having means to withdraw the bolt; said bolt being mounted for independent movement upon its clutch member, to permitv the latter to move relatively to the other clutch member to bring the bolt into register with a seat in the latter.

21. The combination with a platen and a line space wheel, of an intermediate clutch member having seats, a cooperating clutch connected to said bolt carrier to move the f same away from said seats, and said boltiso carrier capable of rotative adjustment relatively to said seats, independently of the platen and line-space Wheel.

22. The combination with a platen and a line space Wheel, of an intermediate clutch member having seats, a cooperating clutch member loosely carrying a bolt, a fingerpiece, a head connected to said finger piece and loosely engaging said bolt to withdraw the same from said seats, said head loosely connected to said bolt carrier to move the same away from said seats, and said bolt- Carrier capable of rotative adjustment relatively to said seats, independently of the platen and line-space wheel, and a spring for returning said head and bolt carrier and for effecting rotative adjustment thereof.

23. rlhe combination with a platen and a line-space Wheel, of intermediate clutch members, one having seats, and the other having a set of bolts to engage said seats, said clutch members having a helical coupling, to afford a limited rotative adjustment.

24. The combination with a platen and a line space Wheel, of an intermediate clutch member having seats, a cooperating clutch member loosely carrying a set of bolts, a finger-piece, a head connected to said finger piece and loosely engaging said bolts to Withdraw them from said seats, said head loosely connected to said bolt carrier to move the same away from said seats, and said bolt-carrier capable of rotative adjustment relatively to said seats, independently of the platen and line-space Wheel.

25. The combination With a platen and a line space Wheel, of an intermediate clutch member having seats, a coperating clutch member loosely carrying a bolt, a fingerpiece, a head connected to said linger piece and loosely engaging said bolt to Withdraw the same from said seats, said head loosely connected to said bolt carrier to move the same away from said seats, and said boltcarrier capable of rotative adjustment relatively to said seats, independently of the platen and line-space Wheel, a spring for returning said head and bolt carrier and for effecting rotative adjustment thereof, and a litnesses JOHN O. SEIFERT, K. FRANKFORT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

